We've written about traveling with kids here on Wandering Educators before...partly because we're traveling with our 6-year old daughter, and I like to be prepared. One of the best resource sites for traveling with kids is called Travel Savvy Mom, and was created by Jamie Pearson.
Travel Savvy mom is a great review site, with comprehensive resources, givewaways (Rosetta Stone Spanish, this week), and with excellent hotel reviews. When you travel by yourself, a horrid hotel is just something to get through. With a kid? Unacceptable. Yet how can we NOT take our kids traveling, as it is so critical to developing a global worldview, as well as intercultural learning?
We were lucky enough to sit down and talk with Jamie about her site. Here's what she had to say...
WE: Please tell us about your site, Travel Savvy Mom...
JP: Travel Savvy Mom is a network of mothers all over the world who review family friendly destinations, hotels, and attractions. We especially love blogging about the funny side of family travel, but we aim to be informative too.
WE: What led you to start this site?
JP: The idea was hatched in 2003 when my then 3-year-old daughter threw up in a hotel dining room in Belgium. I caught the vomit in my cupped hand, called to the waiter for help, and was (eventually) handed a single paper napkin.
We were living in England at the time, and traveling our tails off. The vomit experience was a real eye-opener for me. IOnce you have kids, your accommodations become very important to the success or failure of your trip.
WE: What is your travel background and philosophy?
JP: I've lived all over the U.S., and also in Taiwan, Mexico, and England. I'm happily settled now with my family in California, and putting down roots. I am happiest when staying for at least a week at a time in a medium-sized town in an area of great natural beauty. I loved the Dordogne for this reason. The food! The caves! The scenery! Bliss. I like to travel slowly. It actually takes great discipline to pace yourself, I think.
WE: How difficult is it, to travel with children? Where are you headed next?
JP: Children can't tough it out, or consume vast quantities of caffeine, so travel can be very hard for them. We try to tailor our trips to our children's interests. Unfortunately, our children only have three interests: sugar, toys, and animals! We're headed to Costa Rica next (where I understand they have all three). I'm a certifiable arachnaphobe, so I have some concerns about this one.
WE: Do you have any tips on preparing kids for travel and intercultural
experiences?
JP: Not really. Before our trip to Spain this summer, I served my children a lot of dinners they didn't really like for practice. I think that paid off, though they didn't exactly scarf down paella when we got there. I coach my kids a lot about manners, telling them they are ambassadors and that they can't let their country down. They roll their eyes.
WE: Is there anything else you'd like to share with us?
JP: We have a finite number of days, months, and years to spend with our children. I urge parents not to wait to travel. Go now, and go together.
WE: Thanks so much, Jamie! Your travels - and site - are an inspiration!
For more information on Travel Savvy Mom, please see:
Twitter: @travelsavvymom